Mental Health & Perspectives

This analysis identifies that there is a higher risk for internalising problems and displays of socially avoidant personality traits together with a lowered risk for externalisingPsychiatric disorders featuring problems with self-control of emotions and behaviors. A person with an externalising disorder directs antisocial, aggressive behaviour outward. More problem types. Their findings support the view that preterm birth constitutes an early vulnerability factor with long-term consequences into adulthood. Click to read the abstract.

Pyhala, R., Wolford, E., Kautiainen H., et al, 2017. Self-reported mental health problems among adults born preterm: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 139(4)

The findings of this paper suggest that self-reported mental health and well-being in young adulthood may be adversely affected by low birth weight, irrespective of whether this is the result of premature birth or being born with a low birth weight at term. Click here to read the full paper.

Lund, L., Vik, T., Lydersen, S., et al. 2012. Mental health, quality of life and social relations in young adults born with low birth weight. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 10 (146)

This study followed up individuals who were born late-preterm to age 19 and concluded that those born late-preterm are not at a higher risk of common mental health disorders, while those born early-preterm are. They recommend that available resources for prevention and interventions should be targeted towards the preterm group born at the earliest gestations. Click here to read the full paper.

Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Pesonen, A-K., et al, 2016. Common mental disorders in young adults born late-preterm. Psychological Medicine, 46(10)

This study found that ADHDAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. More was more prevalent in the groups of adolescents who were born extremely preterm and of extremely low birth weight than for controls, which is consistent with some reports on preterm survivors born before the 1990s and preterm children born in the 1990s. Click here to read the full paper.

Burnett, A., Davey, C.G., Wood, S.J, et al., 2013. Extremely preterm birth and adolescent mental health in a geographical cohort born in the 1990s. Psychological Medicine, 44(7)

This paper concludes that participants evaluated their health in a balanced fashion. Preterm-born adults often feel that they have experienced positive transformations as a result of their traumatic start. They often have feelings of gratitude and strength, independent of health problems. Preemies mainly chose positive words for themselves and their family, but more negative words for how the media and society depicted prematurityPreterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. More. Click here to read the abstract.

Girard-Bock, C., Luu, T., Bourque, C., Nuyt, A., Barrington, K. and Janvier, A., 2007/2023. Gratitude, fragility and strength: Perspectives of adults born preterm about prematurityPreterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. More. Acta Paediatrica

This study discussed that several follow-up studies have demonstrated increased anxiety and social rejection and reduced self-esteem in preterm children and adolescents, but few studies have examined the effects of preterm birth on adult personality. From their research, they concluded that young adults who are born VPT have different personality styles from their term-born peers. This may be associated with an increased risk of psychiatric difficulties. Click here to read the abstract.

Allin, M., Rooney, M., Cuddy, M., Wyatt, J., Walshe, M., Rifkin, L. and Murray, R., 2006. Personality in young adults who are born preterm. Pediatrics, 117(2), pg. 309–316

In this study, they have highlighted that the association between prematurityPreterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. More/Low birth weight and mental health problems was largely explained by the consideration of neurodevelopmental conditions of ASD, ADHDAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. More, and developmental delay. This appears to provide evidence in support of biological pathways through which prematurityPreterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. More and low birth weight might lead to increased risks of mental health problems. Click here to read the full paper.

Singh, G., Kenney, M., Ghandour, R., Kogan, M., Lu, M., 2013. Mental Health Outcomes in US Children and Adolescents Born Prematurely or with Low Birthweight. Depression Research and Treatment